In the analysis, the figure recorded an absorption rate of 37 per cent against an approved budget of Ksh.2.07 billion, reflecting increased recurrent expenditure despite the period covering only six months.
The breakdown of expenditures shows significant differences across counties in total allocations and in the average monthly sitting allowances per MCA, which raises concerns about how public funds are prioritised.
Kiambu County topped the list, with MCAs collectively receiving Ksh.36.12 million in sitting allowances over six months. However, despite the highest overall payout, the average monthly sitting allowance per MCA stood at Ksh.67,654, significantly lower than several counties that spent less overall.
Busia County, for instance, recorded the second-highest total at Ksh.35.40 million, but its MCAs earned a much higher average monthly sitting allowance of Ksh.109,270.
Similarly, Bomet County, ranked seventh in total expenditure at Ksh.26.56 million, posted the highest average monthly sitting allowance per MCA at Ksh.113,537, suggesting a higher absorption rate compared to other counties.
Garissa County also stood out, with MCAs earning an average of Ksh.102,563 monthly from Ksh.29.53 million in total expenditure, while Kisii and Bungoma counties posted averages of Ksh.81,802 and Ksh.86,163, respectively.
In contrast, Nairobi County, despite being among the top spenders with Ksh.26.24 million in total sitting allowances, recorded one of the lowest average monthly earnings per MCA at Ksh.35,282.
Kakamega and Kisumu counties also posted relatively modest averages of Ksh.41,756 and Ksh.74,684 respectively, highlighting inconsistencies that cannot be explained by population size or budgetary weight alone.
At the lower end of the spectrum, Mandera and Laikipia counties recorded the lowest total expenditures at Ksh.5.39 million and Ksh.5.45 million respectively. Mandera MCAs earned an average monthly sitting allowance of Ksh.17,637, the lowest in the country, while Laikipia’s stood at Ksh.41,293.
Other counties in the bottom tier, including Trans Nzoia, Isiolo, Turkana, and Kitui, recorded totals ranging between Ksh.6 million and Ksh.8 million, with average monthly allowances varying widely.
Isiolo, for example, posted a relatively high average of Ksh.64,000 despite a low overall expenditure, while Kitui MCAs earned just Ksh.23,754 on average.
Tharaka Nithi also raised eyebrows, with MCAs earning Ksh.60,613 on average from a total of Ksh.8 million, outperforming counties with significantly larger allocations. Meanwhile, Migori and Nyeri counties, each spending Ksh.10 million, reported modest averages of Ksh.29,095 and Ksh.39,846, respectively.
The revelations come at a time when many Kenyans are grappling with a high cost of living, stagnant wages, and reduced disposable income due to increased taxation and statutory deductions.
For salaried workers, shrinking payslips have become a defining feature of the current economic climate, with households forced to cut back on essential spending.
Against this backdrop, the disbursement of hundreds of millions of shillings in sitting allowances, a non-salary benefit, is likely to attract public scrutiny and criticism over value for money and fiscal discipline.
The fact that only 37 per cent of the allocated Ksh.2.07 billion has been absorbed within six months suggests that the total expenditure could exceed Ksh. 1.5 billion by the end of the financial year if the trend continues.
